Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 991842 times)

MaryPage · « **Reply #5880 on:** July 14, 2015, 03:27:17 PM »

This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.

Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?

Discussion Leader: Judy Laird

They did it! Barnes & Noble managed to get the post office to actually deliver Harper Lee's new old book to me on this day: Publication Day! Three cheers for them! How do they do that?

I will now put aside the book I am currently reading and start in. Will let you know, you can be sure of that.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #5881 on:** July 14, 2015, 04:56:20 PM »

Wow - impressive - yes, please let us know - what I hear in the media it is a different Atticus

FlaJean · « **Reply #5882 on:** July 14, 2015, 05:11:36 PM »

Yes, it will be interesting what you think about it. From all I've heard it sounds more true to life than the one that everyone knows. I lived in Virgina during those years when schools were closed for almost two years in my area because of the court ordered integration.......sad but true.

Steph · « **Reply #5883 on:** July 15, 2015, 08:50:13 AM »

I lived in South Carolina, Columbia and Myrtle Beach in that era.. and oh my it was different there.

MaryPage · « **Reply #5884 on:** July 17, 2015, 10:09:04 AM »

Finished GO SET A WATCHMAN. Read a good deal of it twice. Don't pay any attention to the public babble; you will still love Atticus at the end. In my mind's eye I will probably always picture Gregory Peck!
Watchman is marvelous to me. I love Lee's voice. She has so many of MY thoughts; slides into little references which are meaningful to me. Her book was born out of her real life struggle between her home town persona and the sophisticated college grad who migrated to Manhattan. The little girl who was in love with her daddy and had to be jolted out of that fixation in order to fully come into her adulthood by acknowledging his imperfections. I relate to the pattern of her so very much. I remember with an inside chuckle when my husband used to swear he could always tell for days when I had come back from a visit back home. He said I spoke and sounded differently.
She also wrote this around a compulsion to explain and excuse her beloved Southland to the uncomprehending world. A rather humongous task and, albeit I follow her totally in every aspect and detail, she makes a valiant effort which can only fail, as few in this world own her sensibilities. Too bad, say I; but good on her for trying. She does so out of love for the spot that spawned her.
Worth the reading. Won't make a movie, as it is more of an historical philosophy than a novel in my opinion. By the way, prepare to be reduced to fits of laughing out loud in places, my personal favorite being when the Truman Capote character cuts up his auntie's guest sheets in order to portray The Holy Ghost! I seriously near choked to death on that one!
Yep, do read this and make your summer blossom.

Steph · « **Reply #5885 on:** July 18, 2015, 08:36:38 AM »

ok..ok.. not just now with the commotion, but soon..

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #5886 on:** July 18, 2015, 12:51:36 PM »

I just finished reading a book by Jennifer Niven. "All The Bright Places". It is a Young Adult book, and I find that there is a lot of good reading coming out of this genre nowadays.

This book will not be for everyone, due to subject matter; i.e. BiPolar Disorder, suicide in teens, bullying. That being said, I found it a beautiful, poetic, sad, yet uplifting story, well-written by an author who has lived these trials.

Steph · « **Reply #5887 on:** July 19, 2015, 09:09:53 AM »

young Adult is a very very popular genre just now. So good stuff coming out of it.

Frybabe · « **Reply #5888 on:** July 22, 2015, 04:59:41 PM »

I am finally getting back to an interesting book by Lewis Shiner called Dark Tangos. The action centers around a guy who moves to Buenos Aries to keep his programming job. But it is not about programming;it is about his love of tango dancing and a blossoming romance with a woman he meets at one of the dancing clubs. It often dips into the political situation, both current and past, that have shaped the lives of those he meets. The book is in .pdf form, found who knows where on the net. I have no idea if there are other formats available.

Steph · « **Reply #5889 on:** July 23, 2015, 08:35:50 AM »

Spent yesterday afternoon at book club with the poetry day. Interesting the choices.. Now if people wouldjust enjoy poetry and not fuss about meter and deep meanings.

MaryPage · « **Reply #5890 on:** July 23, 2015, 09:53:46 AM »

My sentiments precisely.

I adore poetry, and have written it all of my life. Well, since second grade. I get so fed up with all of that crap, not to mention more than fifty percent of what is published these days. Oh well. To each his own. And no, I do not even attempt to publish.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #5891 on:** July 23, 2015, 08:47:41 PM »

With August around the corner we want to be sure y'all know what is in the hopper...

The discussion will be in preparation for our 20th year reading as a group - the first discussion "Snow Falling on Cedars" was March 1996. The title of the August discussion, that will start on August 10 and continue for two weeks is...

"Our Wild Days; Creating the Good Life on SeniorLearn".

Over the 14 days we will engage in a conversation of memories, with questions that prompt our opinions about reading as a group, and our thoughts about certain books. No book needs to be borrowed or purchased; we are using as a guide a recommended book from our Library discussion - Elderwriters: Celebrate Your Life! Our celebration will be sharing our memories of together, reading books.

Steph · « **Reply #5892 on:** July 24, 2015, 10:31:01 AM »

sounds like fun and I hope to participate..

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #5893 on:** July 29, 2015, 11:07:42 PM »

Our Wild Days; Creating the Good Life on SeniorLearn

When we look back on
our many fond memories of
enjoying a story
that we discuss here
on Senior Learn,
we realize
it's not so much the story
we remember,
but the feeling
of friendship and security
that it gave us.

Join us Monday August 10
when we share our memories of books read on Senior Learn

Steph · « **Reply #5894 on:** July 30, 2015, 09:00:47 AM »

mark...I will certainly be there.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #5895 on:** August 01, 2015, 04:53:26 AM »

Most of our everyday is filled with meals, laundry, appointments, shopping, work, paying bills, gassing up the car, mowing, weekend cleanup, church, friends, volunteering, caring for partner/family, the cat or dog - some of these activities are written in our planners but most are the ordinary responsibilities we mentally track as, the week's "to do".

Now the big question - Does anyone ever really schedule in their appointment calendar a set time to read, or write and post a chapter analysis, or does anyone schedule on a chalk board time for a Senior Learn discussion, or set an appointment for research time to find more background for the current story?

Have you ever chucked it all and read for an entire afternoon or even a day? Have you ever sat down immediately to read a new book delivered or picked up from the library? Have you, as I have, binged for a day or more, reading more than one book, eating leftovers or heating up a bowl of soup.

“Voila!” - Our "Wild Days!"

Our "Wild Days" are all the unscheduled times we read and post on SeniorLearn and the times we binge read. All the time we do not schedule in our appointment book or even our mental 'to do' track. It's our Wheee time or me time??!!?? Our "Wild Days!"

We're excited about reading your stories that will capture and celebrate our golden "Wild Days" Starting on August 10 bring your ukulele, banjo, guitar, harmonica or just hum through an old tooth comb and tissue and sing outloud around our fire of memories in the discussion Our Wild Days; Creating the Good Life on SeniorLearn.

Steph · « **Reply #5896 on:** August 01, 2015, 08:31:37 AM »

mrark

mabel1015j · « **Reply #5897 on:** August 01, 2015, 01:52:22 PM »

Is it just me and the books i've run into, or are there a recent pack of fiction books about WWII France? We've mentioned The Paris Architect here. I've just begun Lisette's List by Susan Vreeland, which started out great but has gotten sluggish. However it is one of those books that altho the author becomes wordy there are enough interesting bits to keep me reading.

I was skimming thru an NPR suggested reading list earlier and there was one on there, altho i don't remember the name. I recently heard someone talking about a book about the French Resistence and how important it was to winning the war. I'm not sure if their book was fiction or non-fiction. What is it about France that grabs an author's fancy? (That's a serious question, not a snarky one) It reminds me of how many books have a setting in North or South Carolina.

Jean

Steph · « **Reply #5898 on:** August 02, 2015, 08:59:42 AM »

I have been reading about WWII and France. After the war, there was a lot of horror from the various groups.. There were a lot of collaborators who were simply paying off old grudges.. So I for one have been reading a lot, but not interested in love stories of that era.

marjifay · « **Reply #5899 on:** August 05, 2015, 11:42:01 AM »

Glad to hear you liked Harper Lee's Go Set A Watchman, MaryPage. I have it on my TBR list, but have some reservations about it because for some reason her To Kill A Mockingbird was a DNF for me, altho I really liked the movie made from it.

Marj

pedln · « **Reply #5900 on:** August 05, 2015, 07:15:41 PM »

Jean/Mabel -- yes, I think there is such a pack about WWII France. I'm reading - and loving - one right now, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. It's set in both France and Germany with a focus on a blind French girl and a German boy. Doerr received a 2015 Pulitzer for this and it was on several "Best Books of 2014" lists towards the end of last year.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is another WWII set in France. From what I've read or heard it's about two sisters who take divergent paths, about the "women's war." I believe one of the sisters joins the Resistance. It's on my TBR list and I hope to read it too.

Coincidentally, I just today received from Netflix a 1969 film, Army of Shadows, also about the French Resistance. Based on a book (same title) by Joseph Kessel. And, I've also recently read some "Bess Crawford" mysteries by Charles Todd (mother and son duo author) set in France, WWI.

Steph · « **Reply #5901 on:** August 06, 2015, 08:55:21 AM »

I have been looking for and reading the Charles Todd mysteries about WWI..
What a joy they are. Someone, maybe you Pedlin mentioned them and I have read two and looking for more.
I will never forget joining the bookdiscussion on
Edna
St. Vincent Millay and discovering she was decidedly not a nice person..
Great poet though.

JeanneP · « **Reply #5902 on:** August 12, 2015, 09:00:15 PM »

Jane. I got thrown back to 2008 in this Forum and notice that yes, you did wear glasses back then. I think you look really good in them. I just wear for reading and hate the keep taking them on and off all the time. Tried walking with glasses on but stumble all over the place.

JeanneP · « **Reply #5903 on:** August 12, 2015, 09:04:04 PM »

I heard today that there will be a series coming on TV of my favourite movie. "The Notepad" wonder which station will carry it. Who will play the parts. James Gardner I know has passed away and I think also Gina Rawlings. Maybe that is how they now have the rights to do it.

Steph · « **Reply #5904 on:** August 13, 2015, 08:09:47 AM »

Finished my bed book, which was an older book about airforce wives, starting when they were all in England with their pilot husbands and then following them through life. Interesting how much life has changed since the late 1940's

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #5905 on:** August 13, 2015, 11:48:18 AM »

"The Notebook" - was a wonderful movie. I don't think a remake will do it any justice, as most remakes turn out awful.

Steph · « **Reply #5906 on:** August 14, 2015, 08:52:25 AM »

Never saw the movie or read the book.. Started it, but it was not my type of stuff, so put it back .
As I just mentioned in the library, I am reading Pick up by Nadine Gordimer for my f2f book club. Very different than her normal stuff. I am somewhat bewildered by the choices being made by the main female character. if anyone else has read the book, I would appreciate feedback.

pedln · « **Reply #5907 on:** August 20, 2015, 10:26:33 PM »

Steph, I just saw your comment about the book about airforce wives in Britain in the 1940's. A recent one you might find interesting is Ship of Brides by JoJo Moyes. It's about women in Australia and New Zealand who married British soldiers during WW II who now after the war are being transported, by the government, to join their husbands in Great Britain.

Moyes, I think, is a British writer. Another of hers that I was glad I read is Me Before You, about a quadripeligic and his care-giver.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #5908 on:** August 20, 2015, 10:35:49 PM »

Haha! (quoting Ginny

) ........thinking of The Notebook made me chuckle....i had a book group meeting at my house for a few years. The first book we read was The Notebook. My DH who is not much of a reader was asked by his DW to read it - we thought maybe we'd invite the DHs to the group for that book. His only comment was "that book was written by a woman, no man would write such a perfect (from women's point of view) man!"

Jean

Steph · « **Reply #5909 on:** August 21, 2015, 08:59:31 AM »

I have not yet found Ship of Brides, I tried some earlier stuff of hers, but it was too too romantic for me.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #5910 on:** August 24, 2015, 02:42:54 PM »

Our library system is currently working together with Southern Methodist University on promoting a book called “Station Eleven” that was chosen as SMU’s common reading program. Each year a single book is chosen by SMU’s Common Reading Selection Committee to be read by all of the staff, faculty, and students over the summer. The author, Emily St. John Mandel, will be hosting an author lecture here in Dallas this upcoming early September. In addition, our library is coming up with exciting programs tied in to the books subject such as vaccine panel discussions, epidemiologist lectures, post-apocalyptic theme photograph manipulation craft, survival classes by REI, pop-up Shakespeare theatre, and book discussions.

Here is the SMU web site that says a bit about the book: http://www.smu.edu/Provost/Ethics/CommonReading/2015

The above was Not my post, but informs as to how our library book club came to receive copies of the book. This is rather a post-apocalyptic story, but don't let that scare you away. The characters are well-drawn and we feel empathy for these remnants of civilization, who call themselves "The Traveling Symphony". It is told mostly in flash forwards/flashbacks. (couldn't seem to get the link to SMU's website as shown above, but perhaps you can work with it and find out how we came to get this book)

P.S. The link works well in the body of this post. The "Blog" icon actually only deals with previous Common Reading Books. Didnt find anything there for Station Eleven.

Steph · « **Reply #5911 on:** August 25, 2015, 08:06:14 AM »

Hah..Thrift came through for me.. Found Ship of Brides.. The Ron Rash I need for the book club up here .(seems he comes from around here and they reread one of his each year)and the Language of Flowers,which I need for my Clermont book club for october.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #5912 on:** August 25, 2015, 11:18:15 AM »

Steph, I think you will like "Language of Flowers". Our f2f book club read it, and all enjoyed it.

Steph · « **Reply #5913 on:** August 26, 2015, 08:43:40 AM »

Thanks I hope to. Heard good things about it. The Ron Rash is throwing me a bit since he was originally a poet and this was his first book.. We will see. Dont think I will try the Lake book, since I already have two non fiction books for the local book club in September and I really like to mix it up more than that.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #5914 on:** August 29, 2015, 10:31:02 PM »

Wheee we are open - Jane did it... our pre-discussion For Love of Lakes is open and ready AND the link is in the heading for the intro to the book along with the link to the book that is about 3/4ths of the book that is available to us from Amazon - here is the link to the discussion ... http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=4803.0

Steph · « **Reply #5915 on:** August 30, 2015, 10:41:02 AM »

I just quickly browsed the Ron Resh and it looks very promising. Wednesday is the Edward Abbey,Desert solitaire.. I really dont like it, but I bet the men in my f2f club do.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #5916 on:** September 03, 2015, 03:35:38 PM »

BOOK REVIEW – 9-3-15 - by J. McIntyre
At or near the top of the NYT Best Seller List for several weeks, “The Girl On The Train” by Paula Hawkins seemed to be a shoo-in for my next favorite thriller. One of the cover blurbs did give me pause when it made a vague comparison to “Gone Girl”. But what could go wrong when a young woman travelling on a commuter train every day spots a couple on their deck and in their back garden. She gives them names and fantasizes about their lives, while her life couldn’t be less perfect. Nor the lives of those, once or soon to be, close to her.
The narration switches between our commuter Rachel; the female half of the “perfect” couple, Megan, and the woman who has effectively usurped Rachel’s life and happiness, Anna. No wonder then that Rachel is suffering from depression and alcoholism with accompanying blackouts.
While I waded through the first 51 pages, knowing something had to “happen”, the author is intent on weaving back-stories into the narration, exposing the characters, warts and all, until the reader’s “who really cares about these people” sets in and it becomes do or die…finish the book and find out who done it, or slam the covers closed and let them stew in their own stagnated half-lives. I finished the book.
jm

Steph · « **Reply #5917 on:** September 04, 2015, 08:49:11 AM »

I was right, the men in the book club loved Edward Abbey and lamented how The Arches had paved roads, etc. Foolishness. I agree that we need to exert some sort of control on the number of people a day in the big parks,, but they are national for a reason.

Frybabe · « **Reply #5918 on:** September 16, 2015, 06:48:40 AM »

I see that C. N. Parkinson (of Parkinson's Law fame) wrote a naval adventure series. The Guernseyman, the first (although written last) of the Richard Delancey series, is an e-book freebie for anyone who likes naval historical novels.

I had no idea that Parkinson was a naval historian. Now I am really curious about some of his other books. What interesting titles on some of his non-fiction works: Parkinsanities (1965), The Law of Delay (1970), The fur-lined mousetrap (1972), The Law, or Still in Pursuit (1979).

Steph · « **Reply #5919 on:** September 16, 2015, 08:44:51 AM »

I am going to try Book Thief again. Tried twice and just did not like the style, but am told it is such a good story. Sigh.. Sometimes I do wonder about authors who get a bit cutsey in how they write.

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Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 991842 times)